For the past week, the snow has blanketed the city of Boulder with a shiny coat and a dense silence. When I was sitting waist-deep in snow at Chautauqua Park a few days ago, my ears almost ached at the lack of noise around me, soaked up by the snow.

I don't know if it's the cold or just my unique internal clock, but I've been waking up earlier since the weather changed. The scenery provides a nice backdrop for contemplative early morning walks. There's nothing better than starting your day with a fresh outlook and a clear mind. It's taken me until now, but I think I've also finally figured out how to dress in order to remain somewhat comfortable in below-freezing temperatures.

The temperatures are rising now and the snow is melting away. My Texan self was pretty worried about how I would handle my first Colorado winter, but now that this little intro to cold weather is passing, I'm feeling much more confident.